Volkswagen Becomes World’s Largest Auto Manufacturer

hanmust · 10th November 2009, 12:32

Volkswagen has overtaken Toyota to become the world’s largest auto manufacturer in the world. It was already Europe’s largest car manufacturer and now it has surpassed Toyota Motor Corp in worldwide production of units. Volkswagen had initially projected this target to be achieved by the year 2018 but has now surpassed initial project in 2009 itself.

In the first 9 months of the year, VW Group’s sales are up by 34 percent compared to last year. VW’s Skoda brand in particular enjoyed the greatest growth in Germany with Fabia sales up by 92.4 percent, as well as Octavia sales up by 20.4 percent.

Volkswagen sales also got leverage due to the scrappage scheme launched by various European governments. VW continued to give superb performance in worldwide automotive industry specifically in Germany. Nevertheless, in spite of ending of scrappage scheme, VW continued to register 26.1 percent growth in its sales figures in its home country.

Toyota now ranks second worldwide and Ford holds the third position of the world’s largest auto makers. According to the production figures, the VW Group manufactured 4.4 million units in the first nine months of 2009 while Toyota’s produced 4 million. Ford was listed as the world’s third largest manufacturer with 3.7 million units followed by General Motors at production of 3.6 million units worldwide.

Source:http://www.cartradeindia.com/car-bike-news/volkswagen-becomes-world%92s-largest-auto-manufacturer-111718.html

esteem_lover · 10th November 2009, 12:42

It is a shame that they have a very small presence here in India.

msvg · 10th November 2009, 12:42

Way to go VW,the new model that are avaited to release in India will add more numbers to this.

issigonis · 10th November 2009, 12:58

Let's hope the pursuit of the highest number doesn't become a single minded obsession. Quality of production, reliability, ruggedness, safety, design and looks, fuel efficiency, all of these should be the focus as well.

Also, I have the feeling that Toyota will regain the top slot once the economy recovers, especially in the US and in Japan. VW might have to wait for some more time to be the king of the production hill. But has to be cautious not to compromise on qualities that make VW a VW and not a German clone of an oriental icon.

Regards

agbenny · 10th November 2009, 16:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

It is a shame that they have a very small presence here in India.

Yes, But I believe they would want to retain this No1 status by adding new cars in India - Polo, Up, Tiguan etc. Indian market will certainly help them.
I know these cars in their cards, and as of now Toyota has nothing in the line.

VW should increase the sales and service outlets too. C'mon VW!

sgiitk · 10th November 2009, 16:22

I hope they do something otherwise someone will Shh..da on them, and they will at least draw a big Zero from India.

Baron · 10th November 2009, 16:51

VW overtook toyota just because of the scrappage scheme introduced in europe(esp. gremany, they gave max. stimulus). Toyota gets major sales from US and VW from EU. Hence, it benefits VW group more than Toyota.
Once, the incentives are over, it will be toyota ahead of VW again.

GTO · 11th November 2009, 10:58

Lets not forget that about a year back, VW had also become the most valuable company in the world (thanks to Porsche stock et al)!

to VW. Thanks to Toyota's overt dependence on the USA market (crashed in 2009) and Europe's clash for clunkers program.

Time to take care of the reliability / electronics / gearbox issues then?

Quote:

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

It is a shame that they have a very small presence here in India.

Don't bet on it. To become a large player in India, you need small cars + diesels. VW has both, in addition to a plethora of brands spanning different price points (Audi, Skoda etc.). Their new plant in Maharashtra has massive production capacity. Their advertising blitzkrieg in today's TOI hints at a mass brand building exercise.

nirmaljusdoit · 11th November 2009, 12:37

Well put GTO... i did get the same feeling when i went through today's "VW of India "

They have a good brand in Europe and it looks they are pretty serious about the Indian market...looks like Toyota's EFC and the Polo will go head to head ! Something strange about today's ad, in the note about all the VW group company's (SEAT, SKODA, Lamborghini..etc) they havent mentioned anything about Porsche ??!!

sushanthr77 · 11th November 2009, 13:02

VW Empire consists of:

Audi
Bentley
Bugatti
Lamborghini
MAN (30% stake)
Porsche
SEAT
Škoda
Volkswagen Passenger Cars
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
Scania

That is a diverse empire with an even more diverse portfolio!

motor spirit · 11th November 2009, 13:50

Its so surprising to know VW has overtaken Toyota by sales. They had their targets set for 2018 of being the largest auto company & world No-1 . has it become a reality now itself

However if all data is real it can be attributed to their dominence in europe & the clunkers programme.

Toyota wake up...US & japan & SE asia are not the only part of the world where civilization exist

alpha1 · 11th November 2009, 13:59

What about European preference for EUR cars?
Even though they might get more reliable vehicle at lower price from Japs.

I don't think Americans are that fanatic.

53BHP · 11th November 2009, 14:39

Its funny that numbers are being considered as a yardstick for size. Profitability is far more important. Take GM for example. They are not that far behind in the overall scheme of things. 4.4 million to 3.7 million, but their books are in shambles

ambivalent_98 · 11th November 2009, 15:24

Probably that is the reason why they have hogged the limelight and they are all over today's Times of India print edition (11/11/2009). Also they are launching the Polo soon. I did see that they were doing some tests on the highway with a hatch with a VW symbol which I am sure was a Polo and a Fabia. It was raining and I was driving so no pictures :(

r@CYR@y · 11th November 2009, 15:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

Don't bet on it. To become a large player in India, you need small cars + diesels. VW has both, in addition to a plethora of brands spanning different price points (Audi, Skoda etc.)

Well skoda was a little success for VW in india but look at the JETTA, only one or two sightings every day,
Hey guys don't you think VW should bring th Golf GTI to India (Without 100%+ extra taxes) then it can give all the other companies nightmares even during the day time.

Keep revving..

10th November 2009, 12:32	#1
hanmust Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Calicut Posts: 2,481 Thanked: 262 Times View My Garage	Volkswagen Becomes World’s Largest Auto Manufacturer Volkswagen has overtaken Toyota to become the world’s largest auto manufacturer in the world. It was already Europe’s largest car manufacturer and now it has surpassed Toyota Motor Corp in worldwide production of units. Volkswagen had initially projected this target to be achieved by the year 2018 but has now surpassed initial project in 2009 itself. In the first 9 months of the year, VW Group’s sales are up by 34 percent compared to last year. VW’s Skoda brand in particular enjoyed the greatest growth in Germany with Fabia sales up by 92.4 percent, as well as Octavia sales up by 20.4 percent. Volkswagen sales also got leverage due to the scrappage scheme launched by various European governments. VW continued to give superb performance in worldwide automotive industry specifically in Germany. Nevertheless, in spite of ending of scrappage scheme, VW continued to register 26.1 percent growth in its sales figures in its home country. Toyota now ranks second worldwide and Ford holds the third position of the world’s largest auto makers. According to the production figures, the VW Group manufactured 4.4 million units in the first nine months of 2009 while Toyota’s produced 4 million. Ford was listed as the world’s third largest manufacturer with 3.7 million units followed by General Motors at production of 3.6 million units worldwide. Source:http://www.cartradeindia.com/car-bike-news/volkswagen-becomes-world%92s-largest-auto-manufacturer-111718.html
	() Thanks

10th November 2009, 12:42	#2
esteem_lover Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Madras/Py Posts: 7,556 Thanked: 502 Times View My Garage	It is a shame that they have a very small presence here in India.
	() Thanks

10th November 2009, 12:42	#3
msvg BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: USA / Bangalore Posts: 209 Thanked: 23 Times	Way to go VW,the new model that are avaited to release in India will add more numbers to this.
	() Thanks

10th November 2009, 12:58	#4
issigonis BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bombay Posts: 956 Thanked: 95 Times	Only numbers, or quality too? Let's hope the pursuit of the highest number doesn't become a single minded obsession. Quality of production, reliability, ruggedness, safety, design and looks, fuel efficiency, all of these should be the focus as well. Also, I have the feeling that Toyota will regain the top slot once the economy recovers, especially in the US and in Japan. VW might have to wait for some more time to be the king of the production hill. But has to be cautious not to compromise on qualities that make VW a VW and not a German clone of an oriental icon. Regards
	() Thanks

10th November 2009, 16:22	#6
sgiitk BANNED Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Gurugram Posts: 7,969 Thanked: 4,788 Times	I hope they do something otherwise someone will Shh..da on them, and they will at least draw a big Zero from India.
	() Thanks

10th November 2009, 16:51	#7
Baron Newbie Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Somewhere of nowhere Posts: 24 Thanked: 0 Times	VW overtook toyota just because of the scrappage scheme introduced in europe(esp. gremany, they gave max. stimulus). Toyota gets major sales from US and VW from EU. Hence, it benefits VW group more than Toyota. Once, the incentives are over, it will be toyota ahead of VW again.
	() Thanks

11th November 2009, 12:37	#9
nirmaljusdoit BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 834 Thanked: 675 Times	Well put GTO... i did get the same feeling when i went through today's "VW of India " They have a good brand in Europe and it looks they are pretty serious about the Indian market...looks like Toyota's EFC and the Polo will go head to head ! Something strange about today's ad, in the note about all the VW group company's (SEAT, SKODA, Lamborghini..etc) they havent mentioned anything about Porsche ??!!
	() Thanks

11th November 2009, 13:02	#10
sushanthr77 BHPian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Mangalore / DXB Posts: 280 Thanked: 5 Times View My Garage	VW Empire consists of: Audi Bentley Bugatti Lamborghini MAN (30% stake) Porsche SEAT Škoda Volkswagen Passenger Cars Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Scania That is a diverse empire with an even more diverse portfolio!
	() Thanks

11th November 2009, 13:50	#11
motor spirit BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: bangalore Posts: 236 Thanked: 112 Times	Its so surprising to know VW has overtaken Toyota by sales. They had their targets set for 2018 of being the largest auto company & world No-1 . has it become a reality now itself However if all data is real it can be attributed to their dominence in europe & the clunkers programme. Toyota wake up...US & japan & SE asia are not the only part of the world where civilization exist Last edited by motor spirit : 11th November 2009 at 13:55.
	() Thanks

11th November 2009, 13:59	#12
alpha1 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: LandOfNoWinters Posts: 2,095 Thanked: 2,608 Times	What about European preference for EUR cars? Even though they might get more reliable vehicle at lower price from Japs. I don't think Americans are that fanatic.
	() Thanks

11th November 2009, 14:39	#13
53BHP BHPian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 399 Thanked: 262 Times	Its funny that numbers are being considered as a yardstick for size. Profitability is far more important. Take GM for example. They are not that far behind in the overall scheme of things. 4.4 million to 3.7 million, but their books are in shambles
	() Thanks

11th November 2009, 15:24	#14
ambivalent_98 BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pune-Bangalore Posts: 807 Thanked: 203 Times	Probably that is the reason why they have hogged the limelight and they are all over today's Times of India print edition (11/11/2009). Also they are launching the Polo soon. I did see that they were doing some tests on the highway with a hatch with a VW symbol which I am sure was a Polo and a Fabia. It was raining and I was driving so no pictures :(
	() Thanks